Smoking Cessation
Today most people are aware of the many health risks associated with smoking. Risk of cancers, heart attack and stroke are all increased with regular smoking. And when it comes to the face, smoking impacts skin tone and elasticity and can result in premature aging. However, many people do not know the very serious complications that can arise when a patient who smokes undergoes facelift surgery. Certain chemicals in cigarettes can cause a tightening (vasoconstriction) of the blood vessels which can prevent adequate blood supply from reaching the tissues involved in surgery. In facial cosmetic surgeries the re-draped and re-positioned facial tissue requires sufficient blood supply to properly heal and provide desired results. All smokers, regardless of quantity, are at an increased risk of infection, delayed or poor healing or even tissue death (necrosis) as a result of this limited blood supply.
Due to these potential risks and in order to provide the highest quality care and results, Dr. Fechner does not perform facelifts on patients who are active smokers. Dr. Fechner requires that patients abstain from smoking for at least 6 weeks, better 3 months prior to a face and neck lift procedure in order to reduce their risk for smoking associated complications during and after surgery.
Patients enrolled in the Reveal a Better You program for smoking cessation receive regular support and monitoring to help them achieve their goal.